St. Basil Academy curriculum follows ancient traditions St. Basil Academy seeks to model itself on the ancient Greeks and Romans.
By SHEILA HAGAR of the Walla Walla Union-Bulletin
WALLA WALLA -- In addition to daily prayer and lessons in faith, the curriculum at St. Basil Academy follows an educational tradition from the ancient Greeks and Romans, a framework that recognizes the many stages of development a young brain goes through, said Matthew Barnett, headmaster. "It divides educational stages into three groupings."
BARNETT
The school is part of St. Silouan Orthodox Church in Walla Walla.
In the "grammar school" stage, that means presenting new knowledge primarily in the form of memorization and facts.
"At that stage, kids are like sponges," Barnett said. "They absorb ridiculous amounts of information." Children in those grades are also widely exposed to stories, such as fairy tales and classical literature, and are taught Latin, he added.
In grades five through eight, the classical education mode means applying critical thinking and logic to facts.
"It's not just about the facts at that age, it's getting into debate and the testing of ideas. We try to formally train them in logic," Barnett explained. As well, the deeper significance of historical events and writings are explored, he said.
Although St. Basil does not yet offer high-school grades, in the tradition the school follows, those years would be devoted to training in the art of written and oral communication, decision making and sharing knowledge, Barnett added. "It gives students the tools to express themselves."
Across the board during the school week, students are exposed to subjects such as choir and drama via parents who volunteer their time and talent to leading exploratory classes.
St. Basil children are "doing wonderfully academically," the average student scoring in the 80th percentile or above using standardized testing, in this case the Iowa Test of Basic Skills, Barnett said.
"Without frustration, without tears. We are able to fit the academic environment for the age."
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Martin wrote on May 23, 2008 8:46 AM:
" I'd like to challenge Mini-Me's assumptions, by suggesting that his statement that 'religions affiliation should be an adult decision' is a form of relativistic brainwashing. The fact that religions groups teach their children the basic tenets of their faith stems from a belief that their faith is true. Why would you deny of delay teaching your children the truth? You have the same motivation in wishing to not 'indoctrinate' the kids. In saying that, you're pushing your perspective of the truth that all things are subjective and relative. Those coming from a religious worldview look at the secular schools as 'brainwashing children in the ways of relativism'. I'd add that we should take a hard look at the results on our culture of these two worldviews. The consequences of the past decades of relativism have been pretty devastating on our culture. I say hurrah for St Basils! "
mlee wrote on May 17, 2008 10:01 PM:
" It appears that there are mixed feelings regarding this school program. Why are people so afraid of religion yet not afraid of the public schools. The public schools offer the following: overcrowding, underfunded, kids with behavioral problems, pop culture, and mainstream ideas. Many kids are failing in the public schools and the test scores PROVE that-
I am not into organized religion, however, I am open minded and I can see that schools such as St. Basil offer more than organized prayer. St. Basil appears to be offering a "good education" and also good values! Bravo St. Basil- "
Elizabeth wrote on May 13, 2008 11:04 AM:
" I am the administrator at the last school Mr. Barnett worked for. Our loss is your gain. He is an excellent educatior. He is not a brainwasher and his students are very fortunate to be in his school. 80th percentile on the ITBS is 30 points above many of our Washington public school ITBS scores - well done. I hope to see St. Basil's Academy flurish. "
Mini-Me Academy wrote on May 9, 2008 1:09 PM:
" The school's curriculum sounds great to me on paper. I love the idea of teaching children to be pragmatic and thoughtful. But given the organization thats running this school, I highly doubt that there is true pragmatism being taught.
Like Kenneth, I don't like to see the religious brainwashing starting at such an early age. I'm more in favor of teaching children how to be good neighbors, family members and friends without prescribing a religion to them so young. I guess that's how these cults (large and small) stay in business though - get em while the're malleable.
Religious affiliation should be an adult decision. Sadly these kids, like SO many others, will have to deal with a set of ideas and doctrines that they never asked to be a part of... I have seen so many people (especially in this town) have to deal with their religious upbringing while trying to find an true identity as an adult. Not pretty. Just seems like a lot of extra baggage to give a blank canvas child who has a lot to learn about the world and their self.
I know this is not a popular opinion (especially in the bible belt of Washington) but that's my 2 cents.
(And are they really required to dress like extras on Little House on the Prairie? Creepy.) "
Brian wrote on May 9, 2008 7:30 AM:
" Just wondering if KENNETH even knows what HE is talking about and questioning. Have you ever heard of a standardized test? They're let you know how your kid is doing compared to EVERYBODY ELSE that took that test. The quote in the article simply says that if all the students at this school's percentiles are added together, then divided by the number of students, this new number is the average. It's how they (averages) work. It's also pretty good, because a truly average population would have an average of 50(ish). Also, religion is definitely an okay thing to be taught to children because it teaches morals and basic values. And I doubt they're teaching kids the deep intricacies of their religion; 80th percentile isn't THAT good. "
Kacy wrote on May 8, 2008 2:03 PM:
" Student centered curriculum is at the forefront of education today - but it is nearly impossible to have meaningful discovery in junior and high school if students don't know the basics. I truly applaude this school for going back to the basics in the formative younger years so that true discovery and education can begin as the students progress through the grades. "
Kenneth wrote on May 7, 2008 8:17 PM:
" "the average student scoring in the 80th percentile or above using standardized testing" --------------------------------------- Does the guy know what average means? If ya take the average over a population it is a single number. _______________________________________ "In addition to daily prayer and lessons in faith," Aren't they a little bit young for this? Religion is akin to philosophy; philosophy is not taught to grammar school kids. Little kids can only be indoctrinated into religion. Wait until they really have the basics then go onto the abstractions of religion when the kids are capable of thinking and thinking for themselves. "
goodluck wrote on May 7, 2008 6:13 PM:
" I applaud any scholastic endeavor which will take kids OUT of the immensly overcrowded and understaffed Walla Walla Public schools!!Good Luck to this little school,and to the values you teach. It is nice to see that God is still recognized in school somewhere... "
Martin wrote on May 23, 2008 8:46 AM:
The fact that religions groups teach their children the basic tenets of their faith stems from a belief that their faith is true. Why would you deny of delay teaching your children the truth?
You have the same motivation in wishing to not 'indoctrinate' the kids. In saying that, you're pushing your perspective of the truth that all things are subjective and relative. Those coming from a religious worldview look at the secular schools as 'brainwashing children in the ways of relativism'.
I'd add that we should take a hard look at the results on our culture of these two worldviews. The consequences of the past decades of relativism have been pretty devastating on our culture.
I say hurrah for St Basils! "